Artisan in Residence | Magnolia Oaks
Introducing
Rick McMakin of Magnolia Oaks
There is a specific kind of magic that happens when a lifelong dream finally meets the right piece of dirt.
From Boilers to Bark
At The Tuesdee House, we talk a lot about Grit & Grace. Usually, we’re talking about our confections or our hospitality, but today, we’re talking about the man who built the tables they sit on. We are beyond proud to introduce our inaugural Artisan in Residence: Rick McMakin, the founder of Magnolia Oaks.
Rick spent his career in the demanding world of boiler construction—a world where Structural Integrity isn't a suggestion; it’s a requirement. But his heart has always been in the woodshop. He’s been building since his twenties, crafting a reputation for precision and creativity that neighbors have relied on for decades.
When retirement finally called, Rick didn't head for the rocking chair. He headed for the woodpile. He followed a lifelong dream to build his own saw mill and solar kiln, creating a closed-loop system right here on the land.
The Five-Mile Legacy
In our corner of the Lowcountry, 70-year-old oaks and pines are often seen as obstacles to be disposed of. But to Rick, they are masterpieces waiting for a second act. Our neighbors now contribute to his "log pile" with a sense of anticipated excitement, knowing that a fallen giant isn't going to a burn pile—it’s going to his mill.
The "Magnolia Oaks" philosophy is simple: Honor the tree.
At Magnolia Oaks, we believe a tree’s service shouldn't end when its leaves hit the forest floor. To Honor the Tree is to respect the seventy years of shade, history, and resilience held within its grain.
Our process is an act of preservation: we mill on-site, solar-kiln with patience, and hand-fit every "scrap" into a new narrative. By utilizing every inch of the timber harvested within our five-mile radius—from the massive structural beams of our Magnolia Kitchen to the smallest hand-laid puzzle piece of a Tessellate board—we ensure that nothing is lost.
Every Bit, Every Piece
Rick respects the strength of these trees too much to let a single splinter go to waste. You’ve seen his work if you’ve walked through our Original Greenhouse or shared a meal in our wood-paneled Magnolia Kitchen. But his craft extends to the palm of your hand through his signature Tessellate Boards.
By hand-cutting and hand-laying the "scraps" from his larger furniture commissions—tables made of hickory and pine that will last for generations—he creates intricate puzzles that mirror the natural beauty of the land. From the deepest Tobacco-hued heartwood to the sun-bleached tones of a winter field, every piece tells the story of the tree it came from.
Magnolia Oaks
At The Tuesdee House, we believe in a soft landing—not just for our guests, but for the very trees that have shaded this soil for seven decades. Our "Artisan in Residence" program debuts with Magnolia Oaks, featuring the master craftsmanship of Rick McMakin.
A Soft Landing for a Dream
We are honored to provide a home for the fruits of Rick’s labor. Magnolia Oaks isn't just a furniture line; it’s a testament to the fact that it is never too late to mill your own path.
Welcome to the House, Rick. We are so glad you are here!
The St. Stephen soil is notoriously tough, but it produces timber that can stand for a century. It’s only fitting that a man with Rick's grit is the one to turn that timber into a legacy.
With Grit and grace,
Izzi
Author
Izzi